Ship cargo-handling device



Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEER 2,541,893

SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE l0 Sheets-Sheet l Filegi Dec. 3, I945 a4. 9 I m9 INVENTOR. 19/ 755 WJP'E/E Feb. 13, 1951 .J. w. sPEER SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE i0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEIER SHIP CARGO HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 13, 1951 w, SPEER 2,541,893

' SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE Filed DO. 3, 1 945 1O Sheets-Sheet 4 E iQ 1. W wi,

A Tram/44 Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEER 2,541,893

SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1945 l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 \\\\\v I mu uv.

Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEER 2,541,893

SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 Feb. 13, 1951 I J. w. SPEER SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 3, I945 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 u WA Q A TTOEA/EQ I Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEER 2,541,893

SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVEN TOR. a? Jfimza m a zzz w w kuq Feb. 13, 1951 J. w. SPEER SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 INVENTOR. Jflmzs W 5/2 5118 I Feb. 13, 1951 Filed Dec. 3, 1945 J. w. SIPEER 2,541,893

SHIP CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 we IN VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 13,1951

UNE'EE SATS PATENT gens 8H1? CARGO-HANDLING DEVICE Application December 3, 1945, Serial No. 632,399

This invention relates to improvements in devices for loading and unloading ships, and more particularly to devices in which the entire mechanism is mounted on the ship and is extensible from the ships hull to either side thereof.

In present day ship construction. the decks and bulkhead divide the hull into holds and the decks are prov'ded with hatches through which cargo is lowered into the holds. When a particular hold is filled, a cover is placed on the deck over such hatch and more cargo is stowed in the next upper hold and even on the cover for the hatch to the lower hold. Proper stowage of cargo is dictated by sailing conditions so that all the cargo for the first and intermediate ports of call is not accessible without shifting some cargo each time unloading and loading is to be done. In cargo vessels. where the top deck is relatively clear, it is pos ible to provide aseries of hatches extending both fore and aft from the usual midship superstructure.

In passen er ships, the superstructure extends over the major port on of the top deck, thus leaving only small spaces for hatches. Consequently, only one or two hatches at most are available either fore or aft, and the greater portion of the hold space is blind and accessible only by shifting cargo long distances in each hold. Further, if a hold is once filled. it is impossible to gain access to a lower hold except by extensive cargo shifting. Hence, passenger vessels, which must be rapidly loaded and unloaded for economical operation, and cannot spare the t me for extensive cargo-loading operations, frequently fa l to util ze large hold spaces which could be profitably used excepting for the length of time required by present day loading and unloading methods.

However, when the superstructure prevents the placing of a series of hatches, side ports in the ships hull at the endsof athwart ship passa es may be conveniently used if means are provided for lifting and lowering cargo from and to docks or lighters, for transporting the cargo through the passage to the intermediate deck hatches, and for lowering cargo into and lifting the cargo from the several holds. If such means form a part of the ships regular equipment, less time is spent in opening and closing the side port openings in the hull than in opening and closing hatches and in preparing the loading and unloading equipment than heretofore. the equipment is always protected from the weather and may be put in read n ss for use at any time, and the cargo is handled less and for shorter distances than hereotfore wh ch results in less damage to the cargo. In particular it is possible to use the same means for all hoisting operations which 12 Claims. (Cl. 214-15) eliminates cargo elevators heretofore required in sh ps and eliminates the re-handling of cargo from the elevators to trucks. and vice versa. Reduction in the amount of handling required materially speeds the loading and unloading of ships which is particularly important in passenger or combination vessels. And the use of the same equipment permits the handling of heavier and more bulky car o than heretofore, is particularly adapted to pallet or container handling and shipping of cargo, and allows greater tonnages to be handled in less time and with less efiort than heretofore.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a cargo-loading and -unloading devce in which the entire necessary mechanism is carried by the ship itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cargo-loading and -unloading device in which portions of the device are extensible outboard from either the port or starboard side of the vessel.

Anot er obiect of the invention is to provide a cargo-loading and -unloading device which can be continuously kept in readin ss for loading and unlcad ngand does not require time and labor when the ship is entering or leaving the port.

Another ob ect-of the invention is to provide a car o-unloading device which op rates by way of ports in the sides of the ship and in which all hatches in the top deck for use in handling cargo can be eliminated.

A fu ther obiect'of the invention is to provide a cargo-load ng and -unloading device in which a in le structure functions both as a hoist for lifting and lowering cargo and as a crane for transpo tin cargo n a horizontal direction.

An ther obiect of the invention is to provide a ca go-loading and -unloading device in which the cargo ma be placed in and removed from any o the h ns holds without shifting cargo in the other holds.

Objects and advantages other than those above set orth will be apparent from the follow ng descriotion when read in connection with the accomoanvin drawings. in which:

Fig. 1'is a schematic view in cross section of a car o vessel showing the manner of application thereto of the present invention; 1

Fig. 2 is a perspective View, with portions broken awa of a major sub-assembly of the present invention;

Fi 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a ve sel with port ons of the top deck broken and c t awa to illust ate the relat on of elements of the present invention in cargo-transporting position; Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section of a vessel with the cargo-transporting device in side elevation and in the position shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the cargo-transporting device related to a fragment of the vesseland with a loaded pallet in position on the device for movevment thereby;

Fig. 6 is a top plan, with portions broken away, of the outboard end of one of two similar boom members; I

Fig. '7 is a view, partiallyin elevationand partially in section, of the structure- 'shownlinFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an end view, in elevation and with parts broken away, looking at the outboard end, of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view on the broken line IX-IX of Fig. '7;

.Fig. .10 .is a cross section .on .the ,plane .of the brokenlline ZX-iX of Fig. "7.;

Figmll. is a view .partially'in elevation andpartially insectiondf aiboom.member and of apor- ,tion of 'thecarriage structure;

Fig. 12 is a cross Section taken on the planeiof .the' line'XII- XIIofFigH of 'the movable sheave of 'the present device;

'Fig. 13'is aviewrpartially in elevation and partially in section on the plane .lXIII-XIII, of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14.15 a view similarto"Fig."13;but"takenon the plane of the line'XIVXl'.V ofFigfd;

.Fig. 15 is a.view,.partially in section and partially .in elevation, of .one of the roller assemblies, indicated inFigJ'B at'XV,;for carrying'the various reaches of cablebetween the several sheaves.

.Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the'manner of r'eevin .the. cables for operating the several car- ,riages on the boom members;

Fig. 1'7 is a diagram showing ithemanner'o'jf reeving the cables 'for operating the movable sheaves severally suspendedfrom the carriages;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged'fra'gment, in elevation, .of a cable-.tensioning device, generally indicated at XVIII in Fig. .4;

Fig. 19 is an end 'VlQWTOf the cable-tensioning device shown 'in Fig. 18;

Fig. '20 is'a top plan .view of a boom-racking and cable-winding mechanism andsomeof .the cable sheaves;

Fig. '21 is aside elevation of 'Fig."20;

.Fig. 22 is an ,enlargedfragmentof Fig..21 to illustrate means for 'locking'ftheboomin anydesired position .Fig.23'is "a side elevation of 'aportion of .the mechanism shown 'in Fig."22,

.Fig. "24is a modified arrangement of the :de- -vices of thepresentiinvention in which parts 'previously' mounted above ;the 'top 'deck'are arranged "below such deck and inadjacent. rather .t'han'su- "perposed relation to 'other'parts :of the struc ture;

"Fig. 25 is a diagram showing the carriage cable reeving employed'in the structure in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a diagram in side elevation showing the location of some of th'esheaves indicated in Fig. 25;

-Fig.2? is a diagram showing the h'oistingcable reeving of the modification "shown in I,Figs.,'24 and Q5; 7

Fig. 28 is a partial "perspective View showing the arrangement of the fixed sheaves inthe modified form of the invention;

Fig. 29 is a modification of the present inv ntion,'shown diagrammatically, in which duplicate "structures "are employed to transport cargo to and from either side of the ship; and

I the boom "rests'on the flanged wheels 5!.

Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 29.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 32 designates the hull of a ship having a plurality of intermediate decks .33 accestsible by way of hatches :34 adapted to be closed by suitable covers and having a top deck 35, the :several decks and the bulkheads extending transversely of the hull dividing the hull into a number of holds. A deckhouse 35, or other suitable :inclosure, :is placed on the top deck 35 over or adjacent toa passage 3'7 extending across the beamrof the--shipibelow the top deck 35 and provided with openings on both sides of the ship and adapted'to'be closed by ports 38. The passage 3? extends over the hatches 34 whereby cargo is taken directly from the passage to one of the holds. Thenumeral 3.9.designatesa d0ck.0r1ight- .er onto or into which cargo is to be discharged from the vessel orfrom which cargolis to betaken into the vesseLby means tobe described. The top deck beams it or .othercportion of the shipstructure, such as a bulkhead .51, have fixed thereon a plurality of pairs of-brackets 3 extending into the passage between the ports. 'Thelbrackets are suitablybracedtcmaintainparallelism at a predetermined spacingbetween each pairof and betweenlthesevcrali'pairs of brac'ketsin a line preferably adjacent each side wall .or'bulkheadof the ;passage entirely across itheuship.

Double-flanged wheels L44 .areseverally rotatably mounted on the :brackets and providelines ofwvheels extending through the passage. The opposed pairs of wheels carry .oneof twosimilar boom'imembers A and? (seeparticularly Figs. '5, l3 and 14). The boom members severally comprise mainlbeamsfi shown asII beams provided with rails as riding between the flanges of the wheels M and joine'dby a top .plate 47 to"maintain'the beams andrails atagiven spacing. Auxiliary beams 48 depend from plate ti! and aresuitably interconnected and braced with themain beams and with each other, as indicated at 49 and 53. The bottom edges of the auxiliary beams d8 are spaced and braced by bars 5| between'the ends of the bottom flanges 'of beams 48, andbraces 52 .are also provided "between suchfianges to provide a structure sufiiciently rigid .to bear a considerable load even when overhung from the wheels "4!. A plurality of axles 55 extend between the .several pairs of brackets 43 and areprovided with wheels 55 to run in contact with the boom top plate when Such axles and wheels are so placed .as to prevent movement of the boom bars 46 out of the flanges of'wheels M ifweight is overhung on the boom from the'pair of wheels 44 cmsest the side ports. Stop blocks 51, preferably faced with resilient 'material, extend from the beams A5 to engage with similar blocks on the. central bracket 43 .if other means for prcventing over-traveling of the boom should fail. Undesred movement of the boom is prevented by attaching lugs 58, mounted between-the outer flanges'of the main beam; A5, to similar lugs on the ship structure as by tension rods with turn buckles, as is well'known.

A'pair'of rails Eliypreferably of ordinary railroad rail section, are fixed on the inner bottom flanges of the boom'auxilt'ary beams 48 to provide a track on whch a carriage may be run back and forth for substantially the entirelength of each of the boom members. The carriages "(see particularly Figs. 6, .7, I9 and I1) includea box-like frame'oi side plates 6! and "end plates consistent whip off the rollers.

gara e run on the rails 60. The wheels 64 are arranged in pairs adjacent the ends of the carriage frame so that considerable weight may be easily supported on each carriage in its movement on the boomrails. The carriage frame has axles 65 fixed therein preferably adjacent the ends of the frames as mountings for a plurality of sheaves 66 and 6?. Blocks of resilient material 10 are mounted on the lower edges of the frame side plates to act as buffers for a movable sheave (see Fig. 12) comprising a frame H with the sheave i2 rotatably mounted therein, the movable sheave being supported on a cable I3 running over the carriage sheaves 66 and 61. The carriage frame is also provided with ajplurality of plates I4 and I5 forming seats for receiving .the ends of a cable 13 which ends are severally locked in their seated position by a wedge I'i acting between the plates. The cable I3 is obviously rigged to secure raising and lowering of movable or hoisting sheaves II, 12 by means to be described, while cable .16 is rigged to cause movement of the carriage to and fro on rails 68 by means to be described. I

The outboard end of each boom member is provided with a plurality of axles 30 and BI on which are severally mounted sheaves 82 and 83, the axles being set as close to each other as with adequate clearance for the sheave peripheries, and the sheaves being mounted on the axles oif the center line of the boom members just sufficiently to obtain lateral clearance between the sheaves. Adjacent the sheaves 82 and 83, and in such position as to prevent the carriage from running into such sheaves, are mounted a plurality of buffers severally including tubes 84 mounted on the boom auxiliary beams 48 and severally receiving a compression spring 85 which resists the telescopicmovement of a tube 66 into the tube 34. The sheaves B2 carry the cable I3 while sheaves 83 carry the cable it to secure movement of hoisting sheave II, 12 and movement of the carriage, respectively.

A plurality of pairs of rollers are mounted on the upper surface of each boom, as indicated at 9B in Figs. 2 and 3, the detailed construction of the individual rollers being shown in Fig. 15. p

U bolts 9i pass through the boom top plate 47 and/or top flanges of the boom main beams 45 to position an axle 32 on wh ch is mounted a roller 93. Such roller is positioned against lateral movement on the axle by collarsifl and is mounted on a well-known form of ball bearing. The rollers are preferably hollow and may be filled with lubricant via a fitting 95 connecting with a passage through the axle into the roller. It will be seen that the several rollers of each pair are offset relative to each other so that each roller preferably carries aportion of only cable "IE or I3. Guides 96 are mounted on the boom ad acent the ends of each pair of rollers to minimize slippage of the cables from the rollers and to return the cables if they should Each of the boom members has a rack Hiii mounted on the boom top plate 41, the racks extending for the greater portion of the length of each boom member. The racks severally mesh (see Fig. 14) with gears or pinions IOI on a common shaft I32 which also carries a plurality of sprockets I03 severally connected by way of chains I04 with sprockets I08 (see Fig.

6 3) on the output shaft of a gear transmission I09 driven by an electric motor I III. The motor is reversible and permits racking the boom mom bers back and forth simultaneously to extend the boom beyond either side of the ship or to retract the boom entirely into the ship. The

reeving of the cables 13 and I6, and the man'- ner in which the cables are wound and unwound, can be seen by reference to Figs. 16 and 17, re-

spectively. I

The carriages are designated A and B and may be run back and forth on the boom rails 60 by the duplicate cables IS, the ends of the several cables being fixed into the several cable seats 14,15 on the carriages to make each cable function as an endless cable. The duplicate parts already described are designated by the reference numerals already used and are differentiated by letters A and B to designate the same parts associated with the several carriages Aand B, the several parts being shown only diagrammatically in Fig. 16 for clarity in the drawings. The two cables are wound and unwound simultaneously on a single drum H5, which, being placed substantially over one of the boom members, requires that the cables be differently reeved over several sets of sheaves to secure proper running of the cables to the several carriages and to the drum. Cable 16A is fixed at the ends on carriage A and extends over sheave 83A on boom member A, and from thence passes over sheaves H6, H1, Ila to drum H5, and from the drum such cable passes over sheaves I59, I26, I2I, and I22 which brings the cable back to the carriage A where the'other end of the cable is fixed. Cable 163 extends from its end on carriage B over sheave 83B ,and

cable into position to wind on drum II5. From the drum the cable 18B extends over the sheaves '25, I26\and I2! and is fastened at its other end on carriage B. Sheaves H6 and I2l for boom member A and sheaves I23 and I26 for boom member B are preferably mounted in suitable brackets I28 on the several booms and sheaves I22 and I2? are severally mounted in the ends of boom members A and B while the remaining sheaves are mounted in the deck house. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 3 that the drum I I5 is connected by way of a gear transmission, indicated at I30, with driving means such as an electric motor I3I. The motor is of the reversible type controllable (see Fig. 4) from a controller I32 mounted adjacent the hatches 21 and from either of two similar controllers I33 severally mounted adjacent the ports in the side of the ship. The several controllers are inter: locked so that the operator of any one control station may take control or" thecarriages and lock out the other control station while movement of the carriages is within the clearest view of the operator taking control of such movement.

To secure simultaneous movement of carriages A and B, it is necessary, of course, that cables 16A and 16B be equally tensioned. The tension of the cables is adjusted as nearly as possible to .the same initial value, but tension-adjusting described. The sheaves I2I and I26 are in fact one sheave, being diagrammatically shown as separate sheaves in Fig. 16 only for clarity in illustration of the reeving. of cablesI'IIi, and are mounted on a cross head I40 which is movable .over the vratchet 145.

.inislides 1.41 .onbrackets =I42 .fixed .on the sheave brackets 1:28 andadjacent drum, I I5. Ablock I43 .is :pivoted :on the cross head and .the block pivot .bears pawls I44 .engageable with a ratchet I45 .on -ethe zbrackets I42. .One pawl .is .one-half @ratchettoothlonger than the other so .that cable .slackis :taken up by increments .of one-half .of the ratchet tooth pitch. One. arm ofa bell .crank J46 bears-on the block while the other arm .of thebell crank has one end of a weight I41 .f(see Fig. 4) pivoted thereto, the other end of the weightebeingpivoted on a {link I48 pivoted .on .a fixed portion of the .structure. The weight acts on .thexbell .crankto rotate the crank aboutits ,pivot and \to ,press .the crosshead and the pawl .blockifromthe dot-dash line right hand position ;.of the pawl-block to the .fulllineposition shown .in :Fig. .18, at-:which time the remaining initial .slack in the cables 16 has been taken up. In

moving .from one position tothe other to take up .cable slack, crank I46 pivots .to .allow movement .of block I43.necessary to .move the .pawls I44 .Movement of the block and pawls ma .continue .towardthe. left until the slack in the. cable, during. operation,.is completely itakenup by the weight. .A-pull'onthe cables .16 .tends to .move .crosshead 1.4.0 toward the .right, seats one of the pawl-ends into .the ratchet-and gprevents .retrogressive movement of the-sheave Hoisting. of :a.load requires raising. and. lower .ing -.of qsheaves .12 .which .-are also .designated A :and B .-in Fig.1? as being parts of the several .boom.members A and B and .of the carriages A .and B. The cables 13Aand 13B.in Fig..1'7,.re-

aspectively, lift and lower thesheaves 12A and 12B, one end .of .each of the cables being an- .chored-at a .suitable location adjacent the several boom members, as indicated at 150A and I5llB. .fIhe several cables .13 extend from their anchors over the severalsets of .sheaves =5I, 61, movable sheaves 12, sheaves 66, 82 I52. I53, and I54, to adrum I55, common to both cables, and on which the .cablesare wound or unwound .to .hoist orlower a load as the drum isrotated in either of itsdirections of rotation.

The drum I55 is driven by suitable mecha- .nism also located in'the deck house and comprisingareversible type electric motor I68 connected .with .the drum by way of asuitablegear transmission -.I6I. .Energization of the motor 'I6Umay .be selectively controlled .from a controller 162 (-see Fig. .4) at the hatches and a plurality of similar controllers 1.63 severally mounted adjacent theiside ports. It will be understood that the severalabove .controllers are likewise capable of individually taking over the control of the .hoisting.motor ;and locking out the other .con- :trollers dependent on whether the sheaves 12 and theirloadare within the clearer view of one or the otherof .the operators. The circuits of all of .the motors may .also besuitablyinterlocked to ,;prevent simultaneous energization of several mo- :tors, and in any event each of suchcircuits is ,provided with asuitable limit switch, indicated .at 166, I61, and I68, to prevent movement of the booms, the carriages and the'hoisting sheaves beyond given positions.

Although the several motors anddrums are .shown.mounted;in ahouse .on the top deck 26,

such elements may be located wherever desired,

llimited .onlylbypracticalconsiderations in reev- .ing .the cables lto the :drums. The electrical circuits and the -details .of the electrical devices employed .in -..controlling the operation of the motors .are :not .a {part .of the ,present invention and are accordingly .not {disclosed herein, disclosure being. made only -of the manner .of ,operation of .the. system-insofar asv required lto obtain an understanding .of the presentdevice.

Theboommembers A and B arelocke'd against movementinany desired position by spudlocks .I15..(see Figs. 21, 22,.and 23),.theteeth of which are individually engageable with the several racksIOIl. The .locksare mounted on eccentrics I-16 and -I11fixedon shafts I18 and I19, respectively, which are suitablymounted on the ship structure in adjacent relation and are interconnected by ,gears I .and I8I.

The shaft I18 bears a sprocket wheel I82 and shaft I19 bears .sprocket wheel IB3,'.the wheels being connected by way of chains I84 and I85 with sprockets on the shaftI86 of ahand-wheel I81 mounted on the side of thepassage 30. A-weighted lever I88 engaged and the booms are locked in position.

If the lever does not engage such stop,jthe

hand-wheel must'be rotated in one direction or the other to shift thelocks alongthe racks. The directionof movement required of the handwheel is shownlby .the position of an indicator I92 and the wheelmaybe moved in either direction when such indicator is on the vertical center line of the wheel. .If 'the'indicator is to either side of such centerline,.the wheel must be moved in such directionas to bring the indicator to and even beyond the center line under some conditions. Such movement of the wheel rotates both eccentrics, the eccentric I16 moving the locks longitudinally of the racks, while the eccentric I11.moves the locks up and down relative to the racks. The-several eccentrics are simultaneously movable so that the lock teeth are brought into meshing position with the rack teeth and the locks are moved downwardly to bring the teeth thereof simultaneously into engagement with the racks.

The structure herein disclosed is utilized to serve both sides of the ship and is preferably duplicated at a suflicient numb-er of locations to giveaccess to allthe'blind hold space without excessive shifting of cargo. In operation-when the ship is brought into :a berthwith a dock or lighter available .only on one side of the ship,

the port 38 on'that side is opened and the stowing'lugs'58 arereleased. Motor.I I9 is then energized to drive the .pinion I66 which racks the boom outboardthrough'the port forany desired distance up to the .maximum shown in Figs. 3

and 4. The motor IIIl'is then deenergized and the spud locks are operated to hold the boom members in that position. Assuming "that the carriages are located adjacent the side port and have been :carried outboard with the boom to the position shown in full'line'in Fig. 4, the motor I31 is then energized to unwind'cables 13 which allow sheaves 12 to "drop down to the dock or lighter where cargo is loaded on a pallet I10 suspensible by ropes Hi from the sheaves 12. (Such loa'd'maynot extendbeyond the profile indicated at I12 in'Fig. 5 to avoid interference between the loadand the boom members and .75theirmounting above described.) The motor -I3I .is. then reenergized to wind up cables I3 which hoists the load from the dock or lighter to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Motor BI is then deenergized and motor I60 is energized to wind up cables I6 which pull the carriages from exactly the reverse of those above described.

If the ship is placed ina berth with a dock or lighter available on both sides of the ship, cargo may be taken from either dock or lighter as desired. In such case, it is merely necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of motor I II) to rack the booms into and through the ship from the one side through the port on the side from which cargo is to be taken at a given moment. In all of the above operations it is desirable that the hoisting operation from the dock or lighter take place under the control of the operator at the ships side stations I33, I63, while hoisting into and from the holds is preferably under the control of the operator at the midship station I32, I62. Control of the carriages may pass from one operator to another as the load passes into the ship or as the empty pallet returns to the side port for lowering to the dock and without interruption of movement.

, If the ship is so constructed as to provide space for the operating equipment beneath the deck carrying the booms, and adjacent to the passagein which the booms are operated, the modified structure shown in Figs. 24-28 is used. In such modification, the various details of the structure are similar to those already described and the same reference numbers are used for similar parts.

The reeving of the carriage cables in the present instance is, however, materially different from that above disclosed, as shown in Fig. 25, in'which the cable 16A passes from the carriage A over the sheave 83A on the end of the boom member A, over sheaves H6, I98, I99, III, and H8 to the drum H over which the rope passes to sheave H9 around sheaves 20 and i2i and over sheave I22 back to the carriage A. Cable 163 likewise extends from the carriage B over sheaves 833, I23, sheaves 260, ZilI, and 292, and I 24, to the drum H5, over which the cable passes to the sheaves I25, 283, E26, and I21, back to the carriage B. It will thus be seen that twoadditional sheaves are required for cable 76A and derstood that the distances between the several sheaves and the location of the sheaves in space are actually those shown in Figs. 20 and 21. The

sheave-tensioning devices employed in the present modification of the invention are precisely the same as those above described, and the parts thereof are accordingly identified by. the same reference numerals.

In some existing ships it is impossible or undesirable to provide passages 31 extending entirely across the beam of the ship, or it may be desired to provide for loading and unloading at different. points on the two sides of the ship. In such cases, separate structures are provided for each side and are arranged in offset relation with the operating mechanism for .each structure: placed behind and below the booms, as shown in Figs. 29 and 30, which arrangement necessarily changes the reeving for the carriage cables and the hoist cables. Again, the structural details of tne mechanism in thepresent modification are generally similar to that described in Figs. 1 to 19, inclusive, excepting that the boom racks I023 are now mounted on the bottoms of the booms to clear the space above the booms for the operating cables for the carriages and the hoist sheaves. The reeving of cables I3 and i6 is now simpler than even that shown in the first modification of the invention. It will be understood that each boom structure now has its own set of drums and drives for the cables and that a separate rack drive is also provided for each of the booms. The several operating mechanisms are. however, similar to those already described and are hence designated by the same reference numerals.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of .the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other and in substantial alignment with the upper corners of the port, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means to project the booms out of said port, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement along the boom, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and .cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween.

2. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent, hollow booms in the passage, a longitudinal slot in the underside of the said booms on said mounting means to project thebooms out of said port, a trolley movably mounted in each of said hollow booms and depending from the boom through said slot, the trolley in each boom being independent of the other, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween.

3. The combination with a ship having transverse buikheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other and in substantial alignment with the upper corners of the port, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means to project the booms out of said port, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement along the boom, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneous'y actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load'therebetween, all of said power means being operable separately or simultaneously without one affecting the operation of another.

4. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other and in substantial alignment with the upper corners of the port, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means to project the booms out of said port, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement along the boom, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween, all of said power means being mounted in said ship exteriorly of said passage and being controlled within the passage.

5. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other and in substantial alignment with the upper corners of the port, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means to project the booms out of said port, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement along the boom, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each verse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at each end of the passage, of a ship-carried crane, comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate,independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement over the length of the booms, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween, said booms being of such length that adjacent ends may project from one of the ports while the other ends overlie said hatch, thus permitting the trolleys to transport loads between the outside of the ship and the hatch without boom movement.

7. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at each end of the passage, of a ship-carried crane, comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means for simultaneous y moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement over the length of the booms, a cable reeved on each boom and to the corresponding trolley, power means for simultaneously actuating the cable on each boom to move the trolleys along the booms, cable tensioning means acting on each cable to insure moving the troleys in unison and to the same extent, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween.

8. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at the end of the passage for access to the exterior of the ship, of a ship-carried crane for handling cargo, said crane comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage paralll to each other and in substantial alignment with the upper corners of the port, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means to project the booms out of said port, a pair of separate, independent trolleys eaeh being mounted on one of the booms for movement along the boom, a cable reeved on each boom and to the corresponding trolley, power means for simultaneously actuating the cable on each boom to movethe trolleys along the booms, cable tensioning means acting on each cable to insure movingthe trolleys in unison and to the same extent, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to su port a load therebetween.

9. The combination with ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, at hatch from the assage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at each end'of the passage, of a ship-carried crane, comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means forsimultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to Project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement over the length of the booms, a cable reeved on each boom and to the corresponding trolley, power means for simultaneously actuating the cable on each boom to move the trolleys along the booms, cable tensioning means acting on each cable to insure moving the trolleys in unison and to the same extent, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween, said booms being of such length that adjacent ends may project from one of the ports while the other ends overlie said hatch, thus permitting the trolleys to transport loads between the outside of the ship and the hatch without boom movement.

10. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port inthe side of the ship at at each end of the passage, of a ship-carried crane, comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement over the length of the booms, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a hoist sheave block dependinng from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending fromeach block to support a load therebetween, said booms being of such length that adjacent ends may each end of the passage, of a shin-carried crane, I

comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parallel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms for movement over the length of the booms, a cable reeved on each boom and to the corresponding trolley, power means for simultaneously actuating the cable on each boom to move the trolleys along the booms, cable tensioning means acting on each cable to insure moving the trolleys in unison and to the same extent, a hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween, said booms being of such length that adjacent ends may project from one of the ports while the other ends overlie lsaid 'rh'atch, thus permitting the trolleys to--transport' loads between the outside of theshipandfthe hatch without boom movement, all of said power means being mounted in said ship exteriorly of said passage and being controlled Within the passage.

11. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port 'in the side of the ship project from one of the ports While the other ends overlie said h atch, thus permitting the trolleys to transport loads between the outside of the ship and the hatch without boom movement, all of said power means being mounted in said ship exteriorly of said passage and being control ed within the passage.

12. The combination with a ship having transverse bulkheads defining an athwart passage between decks, a hatch from the passage to the hold spaces, and a port in the side of the ship at each end of the passage, of a ship-carried crane, comprising, a pair of separate, independent booms in the passage, means movably mounting said booms in said passage parellel to each other in alignment with the upper corners of said ports, power means for simultaneously moving said booms on said mounting means in the same direction and amount to project the boom ends out of either of the ports, a pair of separate, independent trolleys each being mounted on one of the booms 'for movement over the length of the booms, power means for simultaneously moving said trolleys along the booms, a. hoist sheave block depending from each of said trolleys, power means for simultaneously actuating said blocks, and cargo slings depending from each block to support a load therebetween, said booms being of such length that adjacent ends may project from one of the ports while the other ends overlie said hatch, thus permitting the trolleys to transport loads between the outside of the ship and the hatch without boom movement, all of said power means being operable separately or simultaneously without one affecting the operation of another.

JAS. W. SPEER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

